Robinson approves compressor station
Three people were ordered to leave a Robinson Township Board of Supervisors meeting Monday following a spirited discussion about a planned natural gas compressor station.
Board Chairman Rodger Kendall asked a police officer to escort Lisa Graves-Marcucci of Pleasant Hills from the building after she continued to speak out of turn.
Graves-Marcucci, who works for the Environmental Integrity Project, said she has never been asked to leave a meeting during her 20 years working in community outreach.
“I’ve never had that happen, ever,” she said. “It was a disappointment.”
Resident Cathy Lodge and township planning commission member Sandy Ulrich also were asked to leave.
“There are rules at a meeting,” Kendall said. “They were established a long time ago that you get three minutes to speak, but you have to raise your hand to be called on by the board.”
Supervisors voted 2-1 to approve MarkWest’s subdivision and land-development application to construct an electricity-powered compressor station between Route 980 and Quicksilver Road. At some point, the company changed the name of the proposed site from the Imperial Station to the Cibus Ranch Station, which led Graves-Marcucci and Lodge to question whether MarkWest planned to construct two separate facilities.
“I’m more confused than ever now,” said Supervisor Mark Brositz, who voted against the motion.
Brositz said he was unclear on the name of the compressor station site because it was referenced as both Imperial and Cibus Ranch in documents. He also said a few suggestions from the township engineer that had not yet been addressed.
MarkWest spokesman Robert McHale and state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman John Poister both confirmed that the company requested to construct one facility, although Robinson officials said the site includes two buildings and four compressors. Compressor stations are a permitted use in the interchange business development zone, which is where MarkWest will construct the facility.
“There will be somebody staying on that property 24/7 to monitor the condensate,” said township Manager Erin Sakalik.
Kendall denied rumors the township was working with MarkWest to allow a natural gas processing plant in the township and said residents have “nothing to fear from the board allowing that.”